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Ikam as the Social and Economic Heritage of the Bujuur Tribe

Elija Chara1 and NG Khosirngak Moyon2

1Department of Sociology, Highland National College, Manipur, India .
2Department of Education, South East Manipur College, Manipur, India .

Ikam, or Feast of Wealth, is one of the most important traditional events for the Bujuur community of Chandel and Tengnoupal Hills of Manipur State in India. Traditionally held during the spring season by wealthy individuals following bumper harvests, Ikam was significant for the Bujuur not just as an event of merry-making but a space to display the unique Bujuur customs. Celebrated for hundreds of years and part of the social history-identity, Ikam abruptly disappeared after the year 1946 as a result of the paradigm shift in religion, social lifestyle and economic outlooks. The legacy of Ikam can be witnessed from many Rutha (megaliths) erected in historical Bujuur villages. This article explores the cultural heritage of the Bujuur with specific reference to Ikam through the comprehensive description of the Ikam events including its various components, unique features and megaliths attributed to it. In addition, the paper also discusses the relationship between Ikam, agriculture and customs with the objective of relooking the Bujuur socio-economic heritage. 


Bujuur-Moyon tribe; Cultural Heritage; Folklores; Indigenous Event; Social-economy

Copy the following to cite this article:

Chara E, Moyon N. G. K. Ikam as the Social and Economic Heritage of the Bujuur Tribe. Current Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2024 7(1). 

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Chara E, Moyon N. G. K. Ikam as the Social and Economic Heritage of the Bujuur Tribe. Current Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2024 7(1). Available here: https://bit.ly/49eG0QE


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